Date of Completion

2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Keywords

Death

Abstract

Objectives of the Study: General: The study was primarily undertaken to qualitatively explore and describe the experiences, emotions, and reflections of student nurses as they were faced with the profound and impactful event of witnessing death.

Methodology: The study utilized a descriptive qualitative research type of design, giving a thorough explanation of the student nurses’ reflections on witnessing death, a full account of its current state, features, and pattern, and an objective summary of the traits or behaviors of this phenomenon without altering it.

Major Findings: After the data were analyzed, three (3) main themes and seven (7) sub-themes were identified. The first theme, “Mortality Reflections of Student Nurses,” presented the different emotional responses of participants after witnessing death and how they view and integrate it into their lives. The researchers were able to identify that the struggles are unique to each student. For some participants, they realized that life can change rapidly as death comes, so they stated that as life goes on, do what you have to do. For others, they took it as a positive note to study even more to be prepared for whatever case they would handle. The second theme, “Building Resilience: Student Nurses Preparedness,” presented the different experiences of student nurses as it delved into the emotional preparedness and mental resilience required to witness the death of a patient. This theme tackled the professional preparedness required to witness the death of a patient, including finding that death is a normal part of the nursing career. This understanding of death is vital in preparing oneself emotionally and mentally. Maintaining work-life boundaries is part of their mental resilience, as they mentioned that they keep their personal life and work life separated. Lastly, the third theme, “Embarking Emotional Landscape: Student Nurses’ Support and Coping,” presented the different psychological challenges, coping mechanisms, personal perceptions about witnessing patients’ deaths, and the professional growth and development the student nurses’ encountered throughout their experience. The researchers were able to discover different perspectives in terms of the students' personal perceptions, student nurses’ support and comfort after the experience of witnessing death, the professional dynamics from where they got their support and comfort, their coping mechanisms, whether they avoided or accepted them, as well as their spiritual experience after witnessing a patient’s death.

Conclusions: The findings of the study led to the conclusion that the student nurses bear significant post-experience reflections upon witnessing the death of a patient. These reflections had a profound impact on their ideas and perceptions regarding life and mortality, significantly shaping their insights on patient care and the nursing profession. The researchers conclude that debriefing and emotional assessment for student nurses who have witnessed patient deaths are considered important to dispel self-doubt.

First Advisor

Lorenzo Alvin T. Capio, PhD

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